Power surges are sudden spikes in electrical current that are often caused by lightning strikes, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits. These surges can damage your electronic devices, appliances, and, most critically, your HVAC system.
In this guide, we’ll provide practical tips to safeguard your heating system from the potentially damaging effects of power surges. Whether you’re a homeowner in Burlington, WI, or beyond, these strategies will help you maintain your heating system’s efficiency and longevity.
What Causes Power Surges?
Homeowners often assume surges are caused by lightning strikes. While this is true on occasion, the reality is that power surges can originate from various sources, both inside and outside your home. Most commonly, surges occur due to problems with your own home’s electrical system, whether that’s old wiring or an overloaded electrical panel.
Here’s a closer look at why power surges occur:
Lightning Strikes
Lightning strikes near power lines can send a massive surge of electricity through your home’s wiring. This surge has the potential to destroy electrical components in seconds, including those in your heating and cooling system.
Electrical Overloads
Plugging too many devices into a single circuit can overload the system, causing a surge. This is especially common in older homes with outdated wiring.
Power Grid Switching
When the utility company switches the power grid on or off, it can create a brief surge of electricity. While often small, these surges can add up over time, wearing down sensitive heating components.
Faulty Wiring
Damaged or outdated wiring in your home can lead to inconsistent electricity flow, which may result in small but frequent surges that harm your heating system over time.
Appliance Cycling
Large appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners draw a lot of power when starting up. This sudden demand can cause a mini power surge that affects other electrical devices and appliances, including your heating system.
The Restoration of Power
After a power outage, when electricity is restored to your home, a significant surge can occur as all your devices and systems come back online simultaneously. This sudden influx of energy can overwhelm sensitive equipment, including your heating system, causing damage to control boards, wiring, or other components.
How to Prevent Damage to Your Heating System From Power Surges
Now that you know what causes power surges, let’s discuss how to protect your heating system from these powerful fluctuations in electricity:
Install a Whole-House Surge Protector
A whole-home surge protector is installed at your electrical panel and helps regulate voltage levels throughout your house. It provides a barrier between your home’s wiring and external sources of excess electricity, ensuring your heating system stays safe when a power surge occurs.
Use Individual Surge Protectors
While a whole-home protector is ideal, adding surge protectors to outlets where sensitive appliances are plugged in adds another layer of defense. Make sure your furnace or heat pump is connected to a dedicated surge protector.
Schedule Regular Heating Maintenance
Routine heat pump and furnace maintenance services ensure your heating system is running efficiently and allow professionals to check for potential vulnerabilities. At H.J. Faust, we provide comprehensive residential heating services that include examining electrical connections and control boards for signs of wear.
Keep Your Wiring Up to Code
Faulty or outdated wiring increases the risk of HVAC system power surges. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s wiring and ensure it’s up to code. This not only protects your heater but also enhances the safety of your entire household.
Unplug During Severe Storms
If a thunderstorm or severe weather is in the forecast, unplugging sensitive devices can protect them from potential surges caused by lightning. This precaution is particularly effective if you’ll be away from home during the storm.
Invest in Quality Repairs
If your heating system experiences any electrical issues after a power surge, schedule a professional furnace or heat pump repair immediately. Ignoring these problems can lead to more significant damage.
Enhance the Performance of Your Heating System to Safeguard It From Surges
Taking steps to safeguard your heating system from power surges is essential, but it’s only part of the equation when preparing for the cold months ahead. Regular preventative maintenance, such as furnace tune-ups and heat pump inspections, ensures your system operates efficiently and safely throughout the season.
At H.J. Faust, Inc., we’ve been helping Burlington, WI, homeowners keep their heating systems in top condition since 1978. Our team of highly trained professionals can help you with all your heating needs, from protecting your HVAC system from power surges to resolving other common issues. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and enjoy a worry-free heating season.
